Ball exercise equipment

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is ball exercise equipment including: a neck strap ( 4 ); an adjustment string ( 3 ); and an adjusting unit ( 2 ), wherein a ball ( 8 ) is connected at one end of the adjustment string ( 3 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national entry application of International Application No. PCT/KR2019/007407 filed on Jun. 19, 2019, which claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2018-0108429 filed on Sep. 11, 2018, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to ball exercise equipment and, in particular, to ball exercise equipment that allows a user to exercise while kicking a ball with a foot or a knee while hanging a string connected to the ball on the neck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For the structure capable of adjusting the length of the adjustment string as described above, an exercise equipment using a ball at the end of the adjustment string has been proposed that connects a ball to the string described above and hangs the string around the neck of a user for the user to kick it with a foot or a knee.

In this regard, the applicant has proposed ball exercise equipment with patent application No. 10-2016-0110435 on Aug. 30, 2016. FIG. 1 shows the ball exercise equipment (100′) including a zipper slider (20′), a connector (30′), a stator (40′), an adjustment string (50′), and a ball (B).

Such conventional ball exercise equipment was inconvenient to adjust the length of the adjustment string (50′). To improve this, the applicant has proposed in the Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1780497 (published on 2017 Oct. 10) a structure capable of adjusting the length of the adjustment string.

As the structure is exposed to the outside, there is a problem that the ball bounces during the exercise and as a result the end of the adjustment string bounces as well, poking the user's face or body or obstructing the view, causing discomfort.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to further improve the conventional ball exercise equipment as described above and propose a ball exercise equipment that allows the length of the adjustment string to be easily adjusted while the end of the adjustment string is not exposed to the outside so that the exercise can be safely performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention achieves the above object by proposing ball exercise equipment that includes a neck strap, an adjustment string wherein a ball is connected to one end, and an adjusting unit that is connected with the neck strap to the upper portion and with the adjustment string to the lower portion, allowing the adjustment of length. The adjusting unit includes a winding reel. The length of the adjustment string is adjusted as the adjustment string is wound or unwound on the winding reel. After adjustment, the adjustment string is fixed so as not to be wound or unwound from the winding reel.

According to the present invention, it is possible to exercise with the position of the ball determined by easily adjusting the length of the adjustment string according to the users height or taste.

Furthermore, since the end of the adjustment string is not exposed to the outside, a user can safely exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary view of a conventional ball exercise equipment,

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a ball exercise equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view of an adjusting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an adjusting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an adjusting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of an adjusting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the winding reel can be rotated in the adjusting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

-   -   2: adjusting unit,     -   3: adjustment string,     -   4: neck strap,     -   5: connector,     -   20: main body,     -   204: receiving space,     -   208: rotating shaft,     -   210: screw hole,     -   216: compression spring,     -   218: string ball,     -   219: locking groove,     -   226: jaw,     -   228: rail groove,     -   229: sliding groove,     -   250: winding reel,     -   252: locking groove,     -   254: handle protrusion,     -   260: through hole,     -   262: incision groove,     -   270: lever,     -   284: bolt,     -   286: washer,     -   290: locking unit,     -   292: locking protrusion,     -   294: operation protrusion,     -   296: elastic spring,     -   298: cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a ball exercise equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the ball exercise equipment according to the present invention includes a neck strap (4), an adjusting unit (2), an adjustment string (3), a connector (5) and a ball (8).

The neck strap (4) is for hanging on the human body, especially the neck, and can be made of elastic rubber or synthetic plastic or cloth. It can be formed so that the length can be adjusted when necessary.

The adjusting unit (2) is made of synthetic resin and has a weight of about 10 g, and the neck strap (4) is connected to the upper part and the adjustment string (3) is connected to the lower part.

The adjustment string (3) can be produced by selecting a material having strong strength and excellent tensile strength, and may have a diameter of about 0.3 mm to 2 mm.

This adjustment string (3) is preferably connected to the adjusting unit (2) in a state in which the length can be adjusted. The adjusting unit (2) will guide or support the adjustment string (3) stably in the process of adjusting the length of the adjustment string (3).

The connector (5) is formed at the bottom of the adjustment string (3) and serves to connect the adjustment string (3) and the ball (8). This connector (5) forms a structure in which the upper and lower portions are connected in a state in which they can rotate. Therefore, the ball (8) is connected so that it can be rotated from the adjustment string (3), and as a result, the adjustment string (3) is not twisted even if the ball (8) rotates, preventing the adjustment string (3) from twisting during an exercise.

The ball (8) is fixed to the connector (5) in a detachable state. Therefore, when not exercising, it is convenient that the ball (8) can be separated from the connector (5) and be stored or carried separately.

The ball exercise equipment according to the present invention as described above adjusts the length of the adjustment string (3) while the neck strap (4) is attached to the neck of a user, allowing the ball (8) to reach the position where a user can kick it with a foot or a knee, so that a user can exercise while kicking the ball with a knee or a foot. In this process, if the user adjusts the position of the ball (8) by re-adjusting the length of the adjustment string (3), the user can exercise while varying the height at which the user's knee or foot must be raised to kick the ball (8).

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view of an adjusting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an adjusting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The adjusting unit (2) includes a main body (20) and a winding reel (250) formed on the main body (20). The main body (20) has a constant thickness, and a receiving space (204) is formed concave from the upper surface. The winding reel (250) is accommodated in this receiving space (204).

In the receiving space (204), the winding reel (250) is installed in a rotatable state. A rotating shaft (208) is formed in the center of the receiving space (204). It is formed by standing on the floor.

The winding reel (250) is coupled to the rotating shaft (208). The rotating shaft (208) passes through the center of the winding reel (250). By fastening a bolt (284) with a washer (286) at the entrance of a screw hole (210) formed at the end of the rotating shaft (208), the winding reel (250) is coupled so that it can be rotated on the rotating shaft (208) without getting separated.

In this configuration, the adjustment string (3) passes through the wall of the receiving space (204) to the outside of the main body (20), that is, to the outside of the adjusting unit (2). The winding reel (250) is formed to be able to wind the adjustment string (3). It forms a bobbin shape. The bobbin shape allows the length to be adjusted by winding or loosening the adjustment string (3).

A through hole (260) is formed in the center of the winding reel (250). When the winding reel (250) is accommodated in the receiving space (204), the rotating shaft (208) passes through the through hole (260). The winding reel (250) may have a plurality of holes formed in the body to reduce weight. It is formed to the extent that it does not damage the structural strength of the body.

In the present invention, a rotation limiting means for limiting the rotation of the winding reel (250) is provided to limit the rotation of the winding reel (250) by the rotation limiting means once the length of the adjustment string (3) is adjusted.

The rotation limiting means includes a lever (270) formed at the edge of the winding reel (250). The lever (270) is fixed with an axis so as to rotate upward in an incision groove (262) formed at the edge of the winding reel (250). When the lever (270) is formed in this way, it protrudes to the upper surface of the winding reel (250) when it is upright, and it is substantially horizontal with the upper surface of the winding reel (250) when it is laid. According to this configuration, the winding reel (250) coupled to the rotating shaft (208) can be rotated by holding the lever (270). As above, when the lever (270) is upright and rotated by holding the lever (270) by hand, the winding reel (250) can be rotated, and the length can be adjusted by winding or loosening the adjustment string (3) on the winding reel (250).

On the other hand, the main body (20) of the adjusting unit (2) is formed with a locking groove (219) communicating from the receiving space (204) to the outside of the main body (20). It is formed concave from top to bottom. The lever (270) is accommodated in the locking groove (219), and is accommodated in the locking groove (219) when the lever (270) is laid down.

When the lever (270) is accommodated in the locking groove (219) in this way, the rotation of the winding reel (250) is restricted. Therefore, by accommodating the lever (270) in the locking groove (219) by laying it down after adjusting the length by winding or loosening the adjustment string (3) on the winding reel (250) by holding the lever (270) and rotating the winding reel (250), the winding reel (250) is no longer loosened or wound in a state in which the length of the adjustment string (3) is adjusted. The length of the adjustment string (3) is thereby fixed.

Here, the lever (270) is preferably formed to have a length so that it is protruded to the outside the main body (20) so as to easily erect the lever (270) while accommodated in the locking groove (219). It is a configuration to allow the end of the lever (270) to be lifted up with a finger. When the locking groove (219) is formed as described above, a string hole (218) may be formed penetrating below the locking groove (219). The adjustment string (3) wound on the winding reel (250) through the string hole (218) is drawn out to the outside, without interference with the lever (270).

In the locking groove (219), a compression spring (216) for pressing the lever (270) when the lever (270) is accommodated is formed so as not to fall out of the locking groove (219). It is formed to elastically press the side of the lever (270). The compression spring (216) may be formed by bending a metal plate in a triangular shape, and the inlet may be elastically expanded by forming a narrow inlet. Therefore, when the lever (270) enters the inlet of the compression spring (216), the inlet is opened to accommodate the lever (270) and, in that state, elastically presses both sides of the lever (270), so that the lever (270) will not fall out easily. The adjusting unit (2) according to the present invention described above may achieve the same purpose by configuring some configurations differently from the above.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an adjusting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the adjusting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the winding reel can be rotated in the adjusting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the structure in which the winding reel (250) is installed in the main body (20) of the adjusting unit (2) is the same as in the previous embodiment. On the other hand, it shows a difference from the previous embodiment in the configuration of the rotation limiting means for limiting the rotation of the winding reel (250).

In the adjusting unit (2) according to another embodiment of the present invention, a concave sliding groove (229) is formed communicating from the receiving space (204) to the outside of the adjusting unit (2). It is formed to communicate with the main body (20) of the adjusting unit (2) from the receiving space (204), and is formed concave from the top to the bottom.

Further, a locking groove (252) is formed on the upper surface of the winding reel (250) from the edge toward the center. The locking groove (252) is formed concave from the top to the bottom, and a plurality of locking grooves (252) is formed and arranged radially. In addition, a handle protrusion (254) is formed on the upper surface of the winding reel (250) so that the winding reel (250) can be rotated by pushing the handle protrusion (254) with a finger.

Meanwhile, another embodiment of the present invention includes a locking unit (290) installed in the sliding groove (229). It moves forward and backward. A locking protrusion (292) is formed in the locking unit (290) toward the locking groove (252). This locking protrusion (292) is optionally fitted to any of the locking grooves (252) formed to be radially disposed in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the locking unit (290). When the locking protrusion (292) is inserted into the locking groove (252) in this way, the winding reel (250) is controlled so that it is not rotated, and the adjustment string (3) is fixed in a state whose length is adjusted.

The locking unit (290) may have an operation protrusion (294) formed on an upper surface. It is formed in order to be able to move the locking unit (290) by pushing the operation protrusion (294) with a finger. The operation protrusion (294) may be replaced with a means capable of pushing the locking unit (290) such as a groove that can be pushed with a finger.

Rail protrusions (294) are formed on both sides of the locking unit (290), and rail grooves (228) are formed on both walls of the sliding groove (229). When the locking unit (290) is inserted into the sliding groove (229) in a direction horizontal to the main body (20), each of the rail protrusions (294) is fitted into the rail groove (228), and thus the locking unit (290) can move forward and backward in a straight line without falling upward from the sliding groove (229). Here, a cap (298) is installed at the entrance of the sliding groove (229) so that the locking unit (290) does not fall out of the riding groove (229) in the backward direction.

The locking unit (290) is formed to return to its original position by an elastic spring (296). The elastic spring (296) is fixed to the lower end of the locking unit (290) at one end, and to the jaw (226) formed on the receiving space (204) at the sliding groove (229) at the other end. It is installed in a state in which the locking unit (290) is pulled toward the sliding groove (229) in a contracted state.

Therefore, in a normal state, the locking unit (290) is pulled forward by the elastic spring (296), so that the locking protrusion (292) remains inserted into the locking groove (252), and when the locking protrusion (292) is moved backward by moving the locking unit (290) backward, the locking protrusion (292) is removed from the locking groove (252) and the wind reel (250) can be rotated. The length of the adjustment string (3) can be adjusted by rotating the winding reel (250). When the force pushing the locking projection (292) is removed, the locking unit (290) is pulled by the elastic spring (296) and the locking protrusion (292) is fitted into the locking groove (252) again and prevents the winding reel (250) from rotating.

The elastic spring (296) as described above may be installed in a state that pushes the rear of the locking unit (290). The position and installation method of the elastic spring (296) are not limited as long as it is configured to apply force to maintain the advanced state of the locking unit (290) toward the receiving space (204).

In the above configuration, the adjustment string (3) may pass through the locking unit (290) and be drawn out of the adjusting unit (2). This configuration is achieved by forming a hole through which the adjustment string (3) passes along the lengthwise direction of the locking unit (290).

The winding reel (250) described in the above two embodiments may be provided with a spring. In this case, the spring is installed to apply force in the direction in which the adjustment string (3) is wound on the winding reel (250). Therefore, it is possible to easily wind the adjustment string (3) around the winding reel (250) in a state in which the rotation of the winding reel (250) is not restricted. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ball exercise equipment comprising: a neck strap (4); an adjustment string (3); and an adjusting unit (2), wherein a ball (8) is connected at one end of the adjustment string (3), wherein the adjusting unit (2) is provided between neck strap (4) and the other end of the adjustment string (3) and adjusts a length of the adjustment string (3), wherein a receiving space (204) is provided in the adjustment unit (2), wherein the adjustment string (3) is drawn out of the adjustment unit (2) along a wall of the receiving space (204), wherein a rotating shaft (208) is provided in a center of the receiving space (204), wherein a winding reel (250) is coupled to the rotation shaft (208), wherein the length of the adjustment string (3) is adjusted in such a manner that the adjustment string (3) is wound around or loosened from the winding reel (250), wherein a rotation restriction unit is provided in the adjusting unit (2) which restricts a rotation of the winding reel (250), wherein the rotation restriction unit secures the adjustment string (3) to a given length by preventing the adjustment string (3) from being wound or being loosened unintentionally.
 2. The ball exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein the rotation restriction unit includes a lever (270) which is rotatably provided on an edge of the winding reel (250), wherein a concave locking groove (219) extends from the receiving space (204) to an outside of the adjustment unit (2), wherein when the lever (270) is inserted into the concave locking groove (219), the rotation of the winding reel (250) is restricted so that the adjustment string (3) is fixed to the given length and is prevented from being wound or being loosened unintentionally.
 3. The ball exercise equipment of claim 2, wherein a compression spring (216) is provided in the concave locking groove (219), wherein a compression spring (216) elastically presses a side of the lever (270).
 4. The ball exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein the ball (8) is rotatably connected to the adjustment string (3) so that the adjustment string (3) is not twisted while the ball (8) rotates.
 5. The ball exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein the rotation restriction unit includes a locking unit (290), wherein a concave sliding groove (229) extends from the receiving space (204) to an outside of the adjustment unit (2), wherein the locking unit (290) is inserted in the concave sliding groove (229) and moves back and forth to the receiving space (204), wherein a locking groove (252) is provided on an upper surface of the winding reel (250) and extends from an edge of the winding reel (250) toward a center of the winding reel (250), wherein a locking protrusion (292) extends from the locking unit (290) towards the locking groove (252), wherein the locking protrusion (292) is selectively fitted into the locking groove (252) according to the back and forth movement of the locking unit (290), whereby rotation of the winding reel (250) is controlled.
 6. The ball exercise equipment of claim 5, wherein the locking groove (252) includes multiple grooves which are radially arranged with each other.
 7. The ball exercise equipment of claim 5, wherein the locking unit (290) is provided with an elastic spring (296), wherein the elastic spring (296) returns the locking unit (290) to a given original position of the locking unit (290).
 8. The ball exercise equipment of claim 5, wherein a handle protrusion (254) is provided on the upper surface of the winding reel (250), wherein the winding reel (250) is rotatable by manually pushing the handle protrusion (254). 